Mëds wrote:
From comments from the bountiful faithful, and a few friends in Calgary who actually are not complete "mouth breathers", Smith is a stop gap until his contract is up in 2 years while they try to develop one of their prospect goaltenders (I didn't know they had any) or find another option elsewhere.
Yeah I don't get the hate for the trade. The Flames need goaltending now, as they have a roster that could compete if they get some saves.
Smith makes more sense for Calgary than Miller does for Vancouver.
This is what makes this move a poor one for the Flames. A "stop gap"? For a team that just a short time ago was being lauded by many as one that was transitioning to contender status...anyone recall the hullabaloo when the traded for Hamilton?
So they are ok with wasting two seasons with Smith plus whatever time it takes for any potential prospect to acclimatize to the NHL? As a Nucks fan, I say fantastic!
And I totally disagree IN. At this point who really cares who is in net for Vancouver. You can finish poorly and still end up with the fifth pick so does it really matter if we happen to finish 2 or 3 spots "better" in the standings? Hell maybe they actually win the lottery from that spot. I just don't see old, injury plagued Smith - who operated in what was, at the least designed to be, a defensive first strategy from Tippett in Arizona - being much of an improvement for Calgary.
Miller and Smith are very similar these days. Both are ageing number 1 goalies, capable of stealing games. Look at their stats over the past three seasons (Miller is ahead by 0.03% and .27 GAA, each have 10 shutouts and are within 285 minutes played)... scary similar.
The Flames are at the point now where they need a veteran guy to hold the fort. They'll trot out all the same reasons Vancouver did when they brought in Miller, except in Calgary's case their roster actually justifies it.
They don't have anyone in the system right now capable of doing that job. They targeted a couple "meh" quasi-number ones recently that didn't work out, and now they're going for the veteran workhorse type, ones that have proven themselves capable of playing a lot, and doing so at a consistent level.
With Bishop off the market, and Vegas bound to snap up at least 1-2 good keepers (and then hold them ransom), I don't see the problem trading a (maybe) 2nd rounder and a B-prospect for a guy that is likely to help come playoff time. Looking at the UFA market, you could bid on a similar goalie in Miller, or see what Steve Mason would cost, but Smith @ $4.25M for a couple seasons isn't a terrible gamble either.
But hey, don't get me wrong, if Smith tanks and the Flames break apart by Christmas, that's a great thing too.
Island Nucklehead wrote:
With Bishop off the market, and Vegas bound to snap up at least 1-2 good keepers (and then hold them ransom), I don't see the problem trading a (maybe) 2nd rounder and a B-prospect for a guy that is likely to help come playoff time. Looking at the UFA market, you could bid on a similar goalie in Miller, or see what Steve Mason would cost, but Smith @ $4.25M for a couple seasons isn't a terrible gamble either.
Ya maybe if things go well they can celebrate Mikey getting that elusive 10th playoff win
Island Nucklehead wrote:
With Bishop off the market, and Vegas bound to snap up at least 1-2 good keepers (and then hold them ransom), I don't see the problem trading a (maybe) 2nd rounder and a B-prospect for a guy that is likely to help come playoff time. Looking at the UFA market, you could bid on a similar goalie in Miller, or see what Steve Mason would cost, but Smith @ $4.25M for a couple seasons isn't a terrible gamble either.
Ya maybe if things go well they can celebrate Mikey getting that elusive 10th playoff win
lol maybe, but his 1.88 and .945 would probably hold up better than the 3.88 .880 Elliot gave them this year. And I think that's all the Flames are expecting.
Does anybody else think its odd that the Flames are supposedly coming out of a rebuild, yet they're icing one of the oldest teams?
It seems like they're burning up their stars' prime years, while still giving up assets for vets to make them marginally more competitive.
...In other words, classic Burkie! They've now given up 2 2nds for one year of Elliott and 2 years of Smith, and have one pick in the first 3 rounds after getting swept in the 1st round.
ESQ wrote:Does anybody else think its odd that the Flames are supposedly coming out of a rebuild, yet they're icing one of the oldest teams?
It seems like they're burning up their stars' prime years, while still giving up assets for vets to make them marginally more competitive.
...In other words, classic Burkie! They've now given up 2 2nds for one year of Elliott and 2 years of Smith, and have one pick in the first 3 rounds after getting swept in the 1st round.
Holy Glass Houses, Batman!
Of their top-10 scorers last season, only 2 were 30+. For Vancouver (a team supposedly several years into a rebuild ) that number was 5.
The Flames might go into next season with 4 players over 30 (Brouwer, Stajan, Giordano, Smith), while 4 of Vancouver's (currently) 5 highest paid forwards are over 30.
Island Nucklehead wrote:The Flames are at the point now where they need a veteran guy to hold the fort...
...now they're going for the veteran workhorse type, ones that have proven themselves capable of playing a lot, and doing so at a consistent level.
I guess we just differ on what we think Smith brings to the table and what he will have left at his age. He hasn't been the most durable goaltender on record and the Flames will need him to be.
Sekeres and Price were having the same debate earlier as well. Like Price, I just don't see how this is anything more than a step sideways at best. He may help the breakout with his puckhandling abilities, but anything beyond that and I'm struggling to see it at this point. Even if Fleury is off the table with Vegas, there had/has to be better options than this in terms of quality of goaltender and price paid in assets (or both). Granted it wasn't a king's ransom by any means but FA is still far cheaper route than what will likely be a 2nd round pick...although players have to want to come there, an issue I believe Calgary continues to struggle with. Or, alternatively, spend a little more and make a trade with someone. We've all seen that goalies, even decent ones, aren't commanding a tonne in return in recent trades - so go source some quality for pete's sake..
Island Nucklehead wrote:
Holy Glass Houses, Batman!
Of their top-10 scorers last season, only 2 were 30+. For Vancouver (a team supposedly several years into a rebuild ) that number was 5.
Hm okay, interesting cut-off, perhaps because Edler was #9 and is 30?
And its 4 of the top-10 - Sedins, Eriksson, Edler. I see you're counting Burrows in that stat, who you might recall was traded for a 19 year old Flamers were saved by the under-performance of their vets, as 4 of their #11-16 scorers were over 30.
The Flames might go into next season with 4 players over 30 (Brouwer, Stajan, Giordano, Smith), while 4 of Vancouver's (currently) 5 highest paid forwards are over 30.
Oh I think I get it now, you weren't counting Burrows, but you think Sutter is over 30?
The Flames might go into next season with 4 players over 30 (Brouwer, Stajan, Giordano, Smith), while 4 of Vancouver's (currently) 5 highest paid forwards are over 30.
Oh I think I get it now, you weren't counting Burrows, but you think Sutter is over 30?
Until Horvat's contract is signed, Dorsett is our 5th highest paid forward.
Even after the TDD (so minus Hansen and Burrows), the Canucks were just .5 years younger than Calgary (27.2 vs 27.7). So there's that.
Just sayin', if you're gonna call the Flames old...
The Yotes have informed Doan they will not be offering him a new contract and he is free to pursue other options. Doan's agent angry at the way Yotes handled it given his franchise status etc. Doan now considering retirement. But watch, a contender will come along and offer him a shot at the cup.
BigTuna wrote:Brutal move. Smith is well past his prime.
For once we agree on something.
Flames fans better hope he is a backup plan or part of a deal for something better they are targeting at a later date. At an injury plagued 35 years old, Smith cannot possibly be plan A, can he? And at 6M this and 5M next and a 4.25M cap hit, his price tag is too steep for a backup...at least if you plan on having a legit number 1.
Perhaps there will be a Vegas deal where they turn around and flip him to the Knights for an expansion draft available goalie they have their eye on?
Ps. Stankfish, you want your $20 or what?
From comments from the bountiful faithful, and a few friends in Calgary who actually are not complete "mouth breathers", Smith is a stop gap until his contract is up in 2 years while they try to develop one of their prospect goaltenders (I didn't know they had any) or find another option elsewhere.
Hate to break it to you but your "friends in Calgary" are "mouth breathers".
A "stop gap" is not the way to go for a team that fancies itself a contender
... and Flames have nothing really as far as "prospect goaltenders".
Island Nucklehead wrote:They targeted a couple "meh" quasi-number ones recently that didn't work out, and now they're going for the veteran workhorse type, ones that have proven themselves capable of playing a lot, and doing so at a consistent level.
Elliot was horrific... and I called it last summer!
Smith is no "workhorse capable of playing a lot"... he's missed 52 games in the last 2 years.
) that number was 5.
